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No. 751,185. PATENTED FEB. 2, 1904.

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W. A. LA SOR & G. M. SMITH. PAPER SLITTING DEVICE FOR FOLDING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11/1903.

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No. 751,185. PATENTED' FEB. 2, 1904f w. A. LA s03 & c. M. SMITH. PAPER SLITTING DEVICE FOR FOLDING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11. 1903.

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PAPER SLITTING DEVICE FOR FOLDING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 11. 1903.

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UNITED STATES Patented February 2, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM ALLAN LA SOR, OF RAHVVAY, NEW JERSEY, .AND CHARLES M. SMITH, OF NEl/V YORK, N. Y.

PAPER-SLITTING DEVICE FOR FOLDING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 751,185, dated February 2, 1904 Application filed ly 11,1903. Serial No, 1 (No mode? r r r W a To all whmn it nuty concern.-

Be it known that we, WILLIAM ALLAN LA Son, residing at Rahway, Union county, State of New Jersey, and CHARLES M. SMITH, residing in the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, county of Kings, and State of New York, citizens of the United States, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Paper-slitting Devices for Folding-Machines, of which the following is a specification sufficient to enable others skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to make and use the same.

Our invention relates to means for perforating one or more sheets of paper on the line upon which it is to be folded. Heretofore this has been accomplished by means of a rotary cutter upon one folding-roller, the edge of said cutter fitting in a corresponding groove in the opposite folding-roller, so that the line of perforations was formed at right angles to, and during the operation of making, one fold for the purpose of defining the line upon which the paper was to be subsequently folded. Hence the line of the first fold could not be perforated, and the paper was apt to buckle or crease along the edge of the first fold. Furthermore, the cutting-teeth had a tendency to pull or draw up the fiber of the paper, especially if the latter was fed to the rollers with the grain of the paper at right angles to the cutters, or, in other words, parallel to the fold ing-rollers, resulting in roughness and irregularity of edge and tendency also to disturb the perfect alinement of feed,since the cutting was effected while the paper was in motion and supported only by the traveling tapes, so that the shifting of the paper laterally under the action of the rotary cutter was of frequent occurrence. We overcome these and other practical objections to the old method of perforating the paper by our invention, which consists, primarily, in forming a series of slits simultaneously in the paper to be folded in a line parallel to the folding-blade and folding rollers just prior to the descent of the foldingblade and while the paper is at rest and, supported firmly in position.

Our invention also includes other features in the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed specifically.

In the accompanying drawings we show operative means for carrying out our invention in conjunction with folding mechanism of old and well-known form; but we do not confine ourselves to the identical form and construction of parts shown, since other mechanical expedients may be resorted to in adapting the invention to other forms of folding apparatus, whereby like results may be obtained. In thus illustrating the practical application of our method of slitting the paper in a line parallel to the folding mechanism we have omitted all non-essential parts of the latter for the sake of simplicity.

Figure 1 is a plan of one extremity of our paper-slitting deviceshown in conjunction with adjoining parts of the folding-machine. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the parts while slitting the paper; Fig. 3, a sectional view illustrating in detail the relative positions of the parts of the paper-perforating device when the folding and actuating mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing the position of parts during the operation of folding the paper. Fig. 5 is a View like unto Fig. 3, illustrating the relative positions of the parts of the paper-slitting device when the folding and actuating mechanism is in the position shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, upon plane of line 6 6, Fig. 1, with the parts in the position indicated in Fig. 2. Fig. 7 is a front elevation of one of the slitting-plates; Fig. 8, an edge view of the same; and Fig. 9 a section thereof upon plane of line 9 9, Fig. 7 Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal section taken upon plane of line 10 10, Fig. 1, looking toward the opposite side of the machine and indicating the position of the paper just prior to the slitting operation.

In the drawings, A represents the stationary framework of a folding-machine of wellknown construction.

B is the folding-blade, attached to bent arms B B, rigidly secured to the rock-shaft C, mounted in suitable bearings in the side frame A of the machine.

D D are the folding-rollers, to which the paper P is delivered by the folding-blade B in the usual manner, these parts being actuated and timed, as heretofore, by gearing. (Omitted from the drawings as superfluous and for the sake of rendering the new parts more conspicu ous.)

E is a cam-shaft mounted in suitable bearings on the side members of the frame A and rotated continuously by means of 'a gear 6*, rigidly secured to it and borrowing motion from the train of gearing by which the older parts of the machine are actuated.

F and G are rock-shafts mounted upon and between standards integral with the side members of the frame A or other stationary parts of the apparatus.

Secured rigidly to the rock-shaft G are arms 9, which are pivotally connected by links g with a cross-bar H, preferably, though not necessarily, made of angle-iron. To this crossbar H are secured the slitting-teeth S. Suspended upon the cross-head H by means of rods his a presser foot-plate I, between which and the cross-head H are interposed springs h, which tend constantly to force the presser foot-plate I downward away from the crosshead. The presser foot-plate I is formed with a series of slots i "i, coinciding with the slitting-teeth S, so that the latter may pass freely through the plate I.

Held in alinement with but not attached directly to the cross-head H and presser footplate I is the rest-plate J, provided with upright studs j, which pass through guide-holes If and '2' in the cross-head H and presser footplate I, respectively. The rest-plate J is also formed with a series of slots coinciding with the slots i in the presser foot-plate I and for a like purpose. The rest-plate J is secured to sliderods K K, supported in guideways Z- 71: on the side members of the frame A or other stationary parts of the machine. These sliderods K K are pivot-ally connected by means of links Z Z with rock-levers L L, secured rigidly to the rock-shaft F.

M is the folder bed or table, formed with the folding-slot m, through which the foldingblade B carries the paper to the folding-rollers D D.

At each end of the rock-shaft G is secured a rocker-arm 9 preferably provided with an antifriction roller 9 for engagement with what may be designated as the slitter-cams e a, secured to opposite ends of the cam-shaft E, the eccentric portions 6 e of which indirectly cause the depression of the slitter-teeth S, as hereinafter set forth. The engagement of the rollers g g with the'cams e e is insured by means of the pressure of springs P P, acting against arms f, rigidly attached to the rock-shaft G, as indicated in Fig. 10.

The rock-shaft F is rocked through the medium of cams e a, secured to the cam-shaft E near each extremity thereof, said cams e e" acting upon antifriction-rollers n 11, mounted upon cam-links N N, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to the rock-lever arms ff, while their lower bifurcated ends straddle the camshaft E, as will be seen by reference to Figs. 2 and 4. In order to insure the engagement of the rollers n n with the cams e" e, springs P" P are so arranged as to tend constantly to rock the lever-arms f f downward. This may be accomplished by means of rods R R, pivotally connected to the levers L L at one end and passing through stationary abutments M at the other, carrying the springs P P, interposed between said levers L L and said abutments '2' 1'. It is obvious that the engagement of the rollers g and n with their respective cams e e may be accomplished in various ways, and we do not restrict ourselves to the identical means shown. In fact, even the means employed for effecting the thrust and retraction of the slitting-teeth, as well as the means for effecting the advance and with' drawal of the cross-head upon which said slitting-teeth are mounted, are of secondary importance so long as the results herein specified are attained namely, the advance and retreat of the slitting mechanism and the slitting of the paper on the line of fold and parallel to the folding mechanism.

It is obvious that various forms and arrangements of slitting-teeth may be used with substantially like results, although we prefer the form of V-shaped teeth shown herein, especially when the latter is made elliptical in cross-section, as illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8,

in which form it is least calculated to disturb or break the fiber of the paper. In this connection it must be noted that the adjustment of the stroke of the slitting-teeth is of importance in regulating the length of slit, and consequently the width of the uncut paper between the slits. This adjustment may unquestionably be effected by means of mechanical expedients other than those shown herein by way of practical illustration, in which the rock-lever arms are held rigidly on the shaft G by means of set-screws g g, mounted upon heads rigidly secured to the shaft Gr, the arms g g themselves not being directly secured to the shaft Gr. Thus byadjusting the position of the arms g g by means of the set-screws g g with relation to the rocker-arms g g upon the shaft G it is apparent that the downward thrust of the slitting-teeth may be set to effect any desired degree of penetration of the paper.

The parts are so timed with relation to each other that as the sheet or layer of paper P enters the machine and passes between the rest-plate J and presser foot-plate I to stop with its inner or forward edge against the gage T the slitter-cams e e depress the arms g 9 thereby rocking the shaft G and clepressing the arm 9. As a result, the links g g depress the cross-head H. As the cross head descends the presser foot-plate I encounters and rests upon the top of the paper P, the continued descent of the cross-head compressing the springs h and causing them to exert their pressure against the said presser foot-plate, so that the latter holds the paper P firmly down upon the rest-plate J, as indicated in Fig. 10, thus sustaining the paper against the action of the slitting-teeth S. It is to be noted in this connection that the plates I and J extend out beyond or in front of the teeth S, said plates being formed with the slots 1' and j to allow the points of the teeth to pass downward, so that the paper is supported and held taut on all sides. As a consequence, the slitting-knives make clean cuts and cannot bend or distort the paper on the line of fold.

During the latter part of the above operation the cross-head H has of course reached its forward position, as shown in Fig. 10, and (by reason of the action of the cam 6'', hereinafter set forth) with the slots '5 and j in the plates I and J, together with the slitting-teeth S, in line vertically with the folding-slotmin the folder bed or table M.

*e have thus far described the action of the inclined surface 6 of the cams e upon the rollers 5 As the apex of the cam is passed and the inclined surface 6 comes in contact with the roller g being held thereto by the spring P acting through the rocker-lever Gr and arms g the cross-head H rises, withdrawing the slitting-teeth S from the paper P; but the springs it hold the presser footplate I down against the paper until the slitting-teeth S have cleared the latter, thus stripping the paper from said teeth. The continued elevation of the cross-head H under the action of the spring P and cam e finally raises the presser foot-plateI from the paper P, relieving it from pressure.

During the raising of the cross-head, as above set forth, the cams e, acting through the medium of the rollers n, links N, arms f, rock-shaft F, levers L, links Z Z, and sliderods K, have withdrawn the cross-head H and plates I and J from the folding-slot m in the folder-table M, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, when the folding-blade B descends upon the paper along the line of fold prescribed by the slits just formed and carries the paper down to the foldingrollers D D, as heretofore, when the whole operation is repeated upon the next feed of paper introduced.

It is to be understood that the cams, levers, &c., shown in Figs. 1, 2. 4, 6, and 10 of the drawings are duplicated upon the opposite side of the machine.

Our invention is differentiated from the prior state of the art aside from the special combination and arrangement of parts described in giving efiect to the same by the following new and important featuresnamely, the paper is slitted in a line parallel to the folding-blade and just prior to its descent of .the latter, and this prescribed line of fold is slitted While the paper is at rest and held firmly in register. is automatically stripped from the slittingteeth, which latter may be adjusted to make slits of various lengths, as desired. All this we accomplish by providing for the advance of the slitting mechanism to the line of fold and its retreat therefrom prior to the descent of the folding-blade.

The advantages of slitting the prescribed line of fold in the paper while the latter is held firmly in register just prior to the descent of the folding-blade are obvious, since the paper is not moved from register until carried down to the folding-rollers by the folding-blade. Heretofore the designed line of fold was perforated during a preceding folding operation, and the paper had to be refed to the folding-blade with all the chances of lack of perfect alinement.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade, and rollers, of verticallyreciprocatory slitting mechanism independent of the folding-blade, guides for said slitting mechanism, and oppositely-disposed means for operating the folding-blade and slitting mechanism at different times.

2. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of vertically reciprocatory slitting devices, guides therefor, said slitting mechanism being independent and separated from the folding-blade and movable at a different time, a shaft and means common to said shaft for operating the folding-blade and slitter, as set forth.

3. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers of a series of V- shaped slitting-teeth which are elliptical in cross-section, said teeth being arranged parallel to said folding mechanism, and

means for actuating the same whereby the paper is partially severed without injury to its fiber along the line of fold substantially as set forth.

4:. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of aseries of slitting-teeth arranged in several groups parallel to the said folding mechanism, and means for actuating the same whereby the paper is partly severed along the line of fold by the formation of several series of adjoining slits, the series being divided by intervening spaces of paper ofgreater width than the width of paper left between the adjoining slits in each series of perforations, for the purpose set forth.

5. In paper-folding apparatus, the combi- Furthermore, the paper v nation with the folding-blade and folding-rollers of a series of slitting-teeth which are elliptical in cross-section, said elliptical teeth being arranged parallel to said folding mechanism, and means for actuating the same whereby the paper is partially severed Without injury to its fiber along the line of fold for the purpose set forth.

6. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of paper-slitting mechanism arranged substantially parallel to said folding mechanism and independent of the folding-blade to move in a plane parallel therewith and in advance thereof, means for actuating the same, means for supporting the paper against the action of said slitting mechanism, and means for adjusting said slitting mechanism, with relation to said means of support for the paper,where by the length of the slits formed in the paper may be varied substantially as set forth.

7. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and roller, of a series of slitting-teeth arranged substantially parallel to said folding mechanism and inclependent of the folding-blade to move in a plane parallel therewith and in advance thereof, means for actuating the said seriesof slitting-teeth, means for supporting the paper against the action of said series of slittingteeth and means for adjusting said slittingteeth with relation to said support for the paper, whereby the length of the slits formed in the paper may be varied, substantially as set forth.

8. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of a series of V-shaped slitting-teeth elliptical in cross-section, arranged substantially parallel to said folding mechanism means for actuating said V-shaped slitting-teeth, means for supporting the paper against the action of said V-shaped slitting-teeth and means for adjusting the said V-shaped slitting-teeth with relation to said support for the paper, whereby the length of the slits formed by said V- shaped slitting-teeth may be Varied, substantially as set forth.

9. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of slitting-teeth S, cross-head H, links g, arms g, rock-lever Gr, flanged heads g*, secured thereto, the set-nuts g, g", on said heads 9*, and the levers g and bearing-rollers y together with the cams 6, upon the shaft E, the whole arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of the cross-head H and slitting-teeth S, of the presser-plate I, and springs it, together with means for operating the cross-head H, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

11. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of the cross-head H and slitting-teeth S, of the presser-plate I, springs 7b., and rest-plate J, for the purpose and substantially in the mannet set forth.

12. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers of the cross-head H, and slitting-teeth S, of the presser-plate I, formed with the slots 11, and the springs h, for the purpose set forth.

13. In paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of the cross-head H, slitting-teeth S, presserplate I, formed with the slots 2', the springs h, and the rest-plate J, formed with the slots 7', for the purpose set forth.

14:. In-paper-folding apparatus, the combination with the folding blade and rollers, of the cam-shaft E, and cams e, e, rock-shaft Gr, and arms g, links g, cross-head H, and

slitting-teeth S, the links N and L, rock-shaft 8 F, and arms f, links Z, slide-rods K, crosshead H, slitting-teeth S, presser-plate I, restplate J, the whole arranged and operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

WILLIAM ALLAN LA SOR. CHARLES M. SMITH.

Witnesses:

D. WV. GARDNER, FRANK E. ROACH. 

